High frequency electrical switch and electromagnetic actuating means therefor



J. F. FRESE Aug 2, 1938.

HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTUATING MEANS THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Aug. 5, 1955 INVENTOR. @S afifi. gese ATTORNEY.

Aug. 2, 1938. J. F. FRESE 2,125,436

HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTUATING MEANS THEREFOR Original Filed Aug. 5, 1933 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 -//5 FINYENTOR.

Patented Aug. 2, 1938 UNIED STATES PATENT OFFIE HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND ELECTROMAGNETIG ACTUATING MIEANS THEREFQR Joseph F. Frese, Baltimore, Md, assignor to Monitor Controller Company, Baltimore, Md, a corporation of Maryland Original. application August 5, 1933, Serial No. 683,861, new Patent No. 2,080,861, dated May 18,

My invention relates broadly to electrical switches, and more particularly to electrical switch and contactor systems for use in high frequency electrical circuits and to means for controlling electromagnetically actuated switches.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial Number 683,861, filed August 5, 1933, for High frequency electrical switch and contactor system, which became Patent No. 2,080,861, dated May 18, 1937.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction of electrical switch and contactor system offering minimum electrical capacity and subject to minimum dielectric losses when employed for the control of high frequency currents.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of high frequency electrical switch and contactor system in which maximum surface area is provided on the switch arm and electrical contactors for afiording the maximum conductivity for high frequency currents.

A further object of my invention is to provide a construction of high frequency electrical switch and contactor system wherein a switch arm is pivotally mounted and shiftable under control of an automatic actuator for establishing connection with either of two electrical contactors carried by a standard formed of dielectric material, and wherein the contactors are so positioned with respect to the standard that all mechanical stresses and strains occur longitudinally of the standard. thereby relieving the standard of undesired sheer forces.

A still further object of my invention is to provide means for automatically controlling the shifting of a pivotally mounted high frequency switch arm from one contactor to another through operation of a remote control device.

A further object of my invention is to provide a circuit arrangement for the control of a high frequency switch, wherein two sets of series connected switches, the switches of each set including a manually operated contactor and an automatically operated contactor, are connected with a power supply source and separate switch control mechanisms, and wherein the automatic contactors precondition each other for effectively controlling the switch control mechanisms.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction of a high frequency switching system, as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the Wiring employed in connection with my improved high frequency switch; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a preferred form of my invention of which Fig. 1 is a wiring diagram; and Figs. 3 and 4 are side elevations of the switch structure shown in Fig. 2, with the movable arm and associated control elements in alternative positions.

The switch control system of my invention employs a two-way manually operated remote control switch, as shown in Fig. 1, selectively operable in accordance with the position desired for the switch arm of the high frequency switch. The switch mechanism is mounted in a convenient location on a panel l, and is compact in arrangement and highly efiicient in operation. The operation of the control system shown in Fig. 1 will be more clearly understood after considering the structure of my invention illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, reference character l designates the base on which the parts of the high frequency switching sys tem are mounted. Reference character 2 designates a bracket structure arranged at each end of the base in spaced relation thereto and secured by means of bolts 4 extending through spacer members 3 and secured to the brackets 2. Brackets 2 are secured to a ceiling, wall or panel structure indicated at 5. The base l is apertured in predetermined positions to receive socket members 6 which serve as supports for the dielectric standards. I employ a dielectric standard consisting of Micalex in which minimum dielectric losses occur byreason of the arrangement of the contact and pivot fittings with respect to the standards. As will be hereinafter pointed out, all mechanical stresses on the dielectric standards are produced longitudinally of the standards so that mechanical sheer stresses are reduced to a minimum. The sockets E are maintained in position with respect to base i by bolt members llv In the form of my invention illustrated, I employ an electromagnetic actuator having control solenoid 8t mounted on core structure 85. solenoid 8A is of hollow construction and attracts the pole piece 86 carried by the armature 8i. Armature W is pivoted at 88 with respect to the frame of the core structure 85. The armature 81 carries a fitting till on the end thereof on which insulated plate M is mounted. Insulated plate 9! carries the contactor 92 which is spring pressed as represented at 93. The contactor 92 coacts with stationary contacts represented at 94 and 94 as mounted on base I which are sepa- The rately connected to the solenoid 95 and solenoid 84, respectively, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1.

The solenoid 95 controls the movement of armature 96 connected to the pivotally mounted arm 91. The pivotally mounted arm 91 carries a pilot contact 98 adapted to establish connection with contact 99 carried on the resilient strip member I when solenoid 95 is actuated. The circuit diaram of the solenoids 95 and 04 can be traced in Fig. 1. The pivoted arm 91 carries a roller member IOI which is adapted to latch over the end I02 of the armature 81 when armature 8'! is moved to closed position by energization of solenoid wind-- ing 84. as shown in Fig. 3. The resilient strip member I00 bridges the armature 96 and is restrained frorn movement in one direction by hook bracket I03.

The armature 81 is spring tensioned by means of a coil spring indicated at I04 producing a continuous force on armature 81 which tends to move armature 81 to an open position. The fitting 90 provides a support for the Micalex strip I which projects normal to the axis of the armature 81 and carries on the end thereof the switch arm I06. The switch arm I06 is not rigidly connected to the end of the Micalex strip I05 but is secured thereto in a trough shaped guide I01 by means of a coil spring I08 confined in position by a washer member I09 connected to the pin IIO as represented at III. A flexible electrical conductor I I2 extends from a binding post I I4 on switch arm I06 and connects to a binding post II5 carried by the extremity of the Micalex dielectric standard II6 mounted on base I, as shown. A lug II! is secured tothe standard I I6 by means of binding post II5 as shown and provides a connection for the conductor II8 thereby establishing a circuit to the moving switch arm in a manner which affords maximum conductivity to high frequency currents.

I provide a standard II9 formed from dielectric material such as Micalex and mounted on base I, as shown. The standard II9 provides a support for the contactor bracket I20 and the contactor bracket I2I, spaced longitudinally thereon and in alignment, as shown. The contactor bracket I20 provides mounting means for the contact member I22 which is angularly rockable with respect to the contactor bracket I 20 under control of the screw device I23. The contact member H2 is connected through flexible lead I24 to the binding screw I25 which also serves to support the contact bracket I20 with respect to the standard H9. The lug I26 which is secured by the binding screw I25 to the standard II9 provides a connection means for the conductor I21 secured therein. The bracket I2I provides a mounting means for the contact member I28 which is angularly rockable in bracket I2I under control of the screw device I29. A flexible strip I30 provides a connection between contact member I28 and binding screw I3I which also serves to mount the bracket I2I in position on the standard H9 and provide a mounting means for the lug I32 into which the conductor I33 is arranged to extend.

The switch arm I06 bends at a slight angle adjacent the extremity thereof and carries a contact I34 thereon adapted to establish electrical connection with the contact member I22 in one extreme position of the switch arm I86, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Acontact member I35 is mounted on the opposite side of the switch arm I06 in alignment with the contact member I 28 for establishing connection therewith in the other extreme position of the switch arm I06, as has been illustrated in Fig. 3. It will thus be seen that contact is effected in planes substantially normal to the axis of the dielectric standard H9, and that strains in the standard, transmitted thereto through contact brackets I20 and I2I, are maintained substantially longitudinal in the standard.

In the released position of the armature as shown in Fig. 4, I provide a tongue 89 extending from the end I02 of the armature 87 and having a curved end 89 which assures the connection of contacts 99 and 99 by further urging the arm. 91 carrying the contact 98 towards the contact 99. The tongue 39 provides a surface over which the roller IOI passes as the armature is moved, the roller constituting an antifriction bearing on the tongue 89. The curved end of the tongue 89 also acts as a limiting abutment to prevent the further movement of the armature 87 under action of the springs I04. The abutment of contacts I22 and I34 limits the movement of the arm I06 but as the arm I06 is yieldably mounted with respect to the armature 8?, the armature might be further displaced were it not for the limiting action of the curved end 09 of the tongue 89.

With reference now particularly to Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the operation of the switch and switch control system of my invention is as follows. The position of the switch arm 06 in Fig. 1 is the same as shown in Fig. 4; in other words, the armature 87 is disengaged from the solenoid 84, contacts 92 and 94, 94, are open, and contacts 90 and 99 are closed, as shown clearly in Fig. l. The manual selector switch "i0 comprises finger actuated members 18a and 78b, connected with the shiftable connector 180, which is engageable with either of the contacts 73d or 1 86. In. the position shown the power supply TI is connected through connector 780 to contact 78c, solenoid 95 and contact 94, but the circuit is incomplete through contactor 92, and contact 94' back to the power supply TI. The solenoid 95 is therefore inoperative. Closing of the switch 78 to contact 1811 however, places contacts 99, 90, and solenoid 84 in circuit with the power supply ll, and the armature 81 is attracted by the action of the solenoid 8 Contacts I28 and I35 engage as shown in Fig. 3, the roller IDI on arm 9? latches over the end m2 of the armature to retain it in that position, and contacts 98, 99, are opened as the arm 97 becomes a latching means for the armature. Thus, the armature is retained in position though the circuit through the solenoid 84 is opened at the contacts 98, 99.

It will now be seen that contacts 94, 94 have been bridged by the contactor 92, connecting the solenoid 95 to the power supply 1?. The circuit through the solenoid, however, is now open at the switch l8. Closing of this circuit by moving the connector 780 to contact 78c will energize the solenoid 95 which will attract the armature 96, and the arm 9? attached thereto, the roller EOI releasing the armature Bl which will be displaced by the action of the springs I04 to the position shown in Fig. 4, the circuit then again being as shown in Fig. l, with the circuits to both solenoids open, but with the circuit to the solenoid 04 adapted to be closed at the switch I8.

It will be observed that the high frequency contact system is well isolated from the electromagnetic actuator. The portions of the switch subjected to the passage of high frequency currents are so formed that minimum capacity is encountered and maximum conductivity of the high frequency currents with minimum losses is assured.

The high frequency switch of my invention is capable of extension to employ a plurality of switch arms I06 on the dielectric strip I05 and corresponding contacts mounted on additional dielectric standards, with all the switch arms simultaneously controlled by a single electromagnetic actuator in accordance with my invention as herein set forth.

I may provide the stationary contacts I22, I28, with corona shields of the type shown in my copending application Serial Number 683,861, now Patent No. 2,080,861, of which this application is a division; and I may employ a tubular switch arm of the general characteristics disclosed in my copending application Serial Number 92,261, filed July 23, 1936, for High frequency electrical switch detail, which application is also a division of my copending application Serial Number 683,861, supra. The corona shields and the tubular switch arm may be employed in the switch structure hereinbefore set forth in order further to increase the efficiency of the switch at high frequencies.

I have found the high frequency switch and contactor system of my invention highly practical in its construction and eflicient in its operation, and while I have described my invention in certain preferred embodiments, I desire that it be understood that modifications may be made and that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than are imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. Auxiliary switch structure for a self-locking electromagnetic switch, comprising pivotally mounted latching means for the self-locking switch, a contact carried by said latching means, a resilient strip member disposed substantially parallel to said latching means, a coacting contact carried by the strip member and adapted to engage the contact on said latching means, an actuating member connected with said latching means and extending normal thereto, said resilient strip member being apertured to pass said actuating member, and a stop engaged by said resilient strip member with the latching means in operative position for separating said contacts.

2. Auxiliary switch structure for a self-locking switch, comprising in combination with an armature and pivotally mounted latching means therefor in said self-locking switch, actuating means connected with said latching means, a resilient strip member disposed substantially parallel with said latching means intermediate said actuating means and said latching means, a stop engaged by said strip member with the latching means in operative position, and coacting contacts on said latching means and said resilient strip member engageable upon the operation of said actuating means, said armature having means engageable with said latching means for maintaining said contacts engaged with said armature in unlatched position.

3. In a high frequency switch, a dielectric standard, a pair of contacts carried by said standard in alignment and spaced longitudinally thereon, a switch arm mounted for movement about an axis unequally distant from said contacts, and coacting contacts disposed on said switch arm in selected displaced positions adapted to engage said pair of contacts, said switch arm being bent in order that coacting contacts on said arm and said standard engage in planes substantially normal to said standard, whereby strains in said standard are maintained substantially longitudinal thereof.

4:. A high frequency switch comprising a fixed contact mounted on .a dielectric standard, a pivotally mounted dielectric support extending parallel with its axis of support, a switch arm mounted on said support and extending normal thereto and adapted to coact with said fixed contact, self-locking electromagnetic actuating means for said switch including an armature connected with said dielectric support at a substantial distance from said switch arm, a fixed extension on said armature disposed normal thereto and having a shoulder portion in the plane of said armature, pivotally mounted latching means engageable with said shoulder portion, auxiliary actuating means connected with said latching means and operable to release the latching means from engagement with said shoulder portion, a resilient strip member disposed intermediate said auxiliary actuating means and said latching means, coacting contacts on said strip member and said latching means, a stop engageable by said strip member with the latching means in operative position, and means on said extension engageable with said latching means for maintaining said contacts engaged and for limiting the movement of the armature in unlatched position.

JOSEPH F. FRESE. 

